When was the last time you did nothing? I don't mean you turned on the TV and stared mindlessly at the screen but when did you last purposefully lead your mind into a restful, quiet place? No tv, mobile switched completely off, radio silenced...no disturbance. It's so simple, yet it's not.
We have become a society that is switched on all day, everyday. I'm just as guilty as the next person. I'm embarrassed to admit that on occasion I have got out of bed in the middle of the night to check email and voice messages. Why don't we take care of our brains the way we take care of our most valued possessions? We wouldn't run our cars 16 or 18 hours a day so why do we allow our brains to be switched on all the time? What kind of physical and emotional impact does this on-going activity have on our brains, bodies and overall well-being? High blood pressure, loss of sleep, increased stress & weight gain are just a few of the impacts that our high-energy, non-stop Western lifestyle has had on our health.
How would your sleep and overall health change if you took 10 minutes each day to meditate? This entertainingTED talk video and supporting scientific research has some really surprising results about the effects that meditation has on the brain and heart.
Before you dismiss the idea of meditation, let's clear up some misconceptions about the practice.
MISCONCEPTION #1:
You must sit cross legged to meditate
The best way to sit when you meditate is in a position that is comfortable for you - in a chair, on the floor, lying on a sofa, wherever!
MISCONCEPTION #2:
You must burn incense and chant during meditation
Neither are required or necessary. However, some enjoy the smell of incense and the focus of the mind that chants offer
MISCONCEPTION #3:
You have to stop all thoughts during meditation
Quite the opposite. We allow our thoughts to flow but rather than focus on the thoughts, we become an observer of the thoughts. I had the great fortune of attending one of Suzanne Robson's meditation sessions last year. In preparation she prompted us to "Take ourselves out of the river of thoughts, place ourselves on the banks of the river and become an observer." Trying to dam the river is a waste of energy. The river of thoughts in our heads is wonderful but we don't have to always be in the middle of it.
MISCONCEPTION #4:
You have to be a Buddist or Hindu to meditate
Anyone of any faith (or no faith) can meditate. It isn't about focusing on God or faith. Meditation is about quieting the mind, observing one's thoughts and allowing the body and the mind to "log out" for a short period of time. Having said that, some find it very peaceful to focus on their faith during meditation. The bottom line is to focus on finding a quiet, peaceful place within you and allowing your mind and your focus to relax and let go in that place.
So, ready to give it a go?
Why not join us this Tuesday for Tranquil Tuesday Meditation, 2 April 2013 from 7pm-8pm in Umm Sequiem 1. Contact me at fieldsofyoga@gmail.com to book your spot in Tuesday's class. I hope you'll join us!
Fields of Yoga Dubai Class Schedule
Week of 31 March
Monday & Wednesday
HATHA FLOW YOGA
7pm-8:15pm, Umm Sequiem 1, 50 aed pp
Tuesday
TRANQUIL TUESDAY MEDITATION
7pm-8pm, Umm Sequiem 1, 50 aed pp
Saturday,
SUNRISE BEACH YOGA free class!
7am-8:15am, Umm Sequiem 1, adjacent to DOSC
